GSS was a separate XS-1 DARPA contract for the second stage only. the other teams are single stage and/or first stage only contracts with which GSS's second stage would fly on any of them for two stage flights.

I asked DARPA on twitter if the program was still alive, and they actually responded and said that yes it is still running and that Phase II awards are "still pending". No idea how soon they'll announce, but thought everyone might be interested.

I asked DARPA on twitter if the program was still alive, and they actually responded and said that yes it is still running and that Phase II awards are "still pending". No idea how soon they'll announce, but thought everyone might be interested.

~Jon

Last I heard from one of the participating companies was that DARPA was now hoping to award Phase II in the Summer - Autumn 2017 timeframe.

The USAF is waiting for their marching orders from the new Administration. Or not.

Wow. Talk about the knock-on effect of a small slip in schedule.

TBH I thought at this level stuff would go through BAU unless the new team made a point of specifically calling a halt.

So maybe something by the end of Q317?

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BFS. The worlds first Methane fueled FFORSC engined CFRP structured A380 sized aerospaceplane tail sitter capable of flying in Earth and Mars atmospheres. BFR. The worlds biggest Methane fueled FFORSC engined CFRP structured booster for BFS. First flight to Mars by end of 2022. Forward looking statements. T&C apply. Believe no one. Run your own numbers. So, you are going to Mars to start a better life? Picture it in your mind. Now say what it is out loud.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency expects to award a contract for the XS-1 spaceplane program “soon,” according to a contractor authorized to speak about the program. Michael Arnone of Spire Communications said DARPA is indeed in the final stages of a “downselect” to choose one company to proceed into the flying phase of the spaceplane, which is meant to be a two-stage to orbit vehicle potentially able to bring down the cost of space lift “by orders of magnitude,” according to DARPA’s website. Arnone acknowledged that program plans called for the downselect in late 2016 or early this year, but “this is the government and things sometimes take time,” he said. Phase I of the program explored concepts offered by Boeing partnered with Blue Origin, Masten Space Systems teamed with XCOR Aerospace, and Northrop Grumman working with Virgin Galactic. However, the Phase II contractor won’t necessarily be chosen from the three Phase I participants. After downselect, a critical design review would take place in 2018 and a series of flights could be made as early as 2020. One of the program requirements is to fly 10 suborbital or orbital missions in as many days, achieving space operations with “aircraft-like” frequency, DARPA said. If successful, a “public-private partnership” model of operating the vehicles could be adopted, DARPA documents show.

Sounds like there could be a 4th participant in the running. Any guesses?.

Rocket Lab USA is what we were hearing last year.

They would need a lot of Rudford engines or larger engine to be able to compete plus another aerospace company with deep pockets and lots of experience. LM comes to mind. An XS-1 class booster would need 350-550klbs of thrust. Masten were looking at 7x 60klbs, Northrop Grumman were using ?x Newton 3 (53-70klbs). Boeing either a few BE3 or BE4, I'm picking BE4 which could explain some of delays as DARPA wait for first testing firing.

Edit. Newton 3 was 265,000 to 335,000 newtons not klbs. Thought it was lot bigger than I remembered.

Oh my giddy Aunt. This might actually mean there is a (small) real possibility of them actually building something.

I think we're all rooting at this point for Jess Sponable to get this done and get the funds to make this happen.

« Last Edit: 05/21/2017 02:21 PM by john smith 19 »

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BFS. The worlds first Methane fueled FFORSC engined CFRP structured A380 sized aerospaceplane tail sitter capable of flying in Earth and Mars atmospheres. BFR. The worlds biggest Methane fueled FFORSC engined CFRP structured booster for BFS. First flight to Mars by end of 2022. Forward looking statements. T&C apply. Believe no one. Run your own numbers. So, you are going to Mars to start a better life? Picture it in your mind. Now say what it is out loud.